Davison County Public RecordsSouth Dakota

Davison County, SD has 13 public schools, including 1 high school (Mitchell High School) and 1 technical institute (Mitchell Technical College). About 90% of adults hold a high school diploma, and 26% have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The average public school test score is 52% (2023), slightly above state average. School safety initiatives include resource officers and security systems. Educational programs feature career and technical education, dual-credit courses, and adult education/GED programs at the technical college, promoting workforce readiness in the community.

As of 2022, Davison County, SD, had an employment rate of approximately 65.2%. Major industries include Health Care & Social Assistance (21.3%), Retail Trade (13.7%), and Manufacturing (12.8%). The most common occupation types are Office & Administrative Support (12.9%), Sales (11.5%), and Production (10.4%). About 81% of residents commute to work by car, with an average commute time of 13.4 minutes. Most employment is concentrated in the city of Mitchell, the county seat, which serves as a regional economic hub.

Davison County, SD, has a homeownership rate of approximately 66%, with median home values around $193,000 in 2023. Median gross rent is about $830 per month. The housing market shows modest growth, with property values rising 4% year-over-year. Single-family homes dominate, but there are also apartments and townhomes, especially in Mitchell, the county seat. Neighborhoods range from historic downtown districts to newer suburban developments. Property tax rates average 1.2% of assessed value.

Davison County, SD, has approximately 12,000 registered voters as of 2024. The county conducts general, primary, and local elections, with the 2022 general election showing about 66% voter turnout. Republicans dominate registration, outnumbering Democrats nearly 2:1, with independents making up the rest. Key issues include local taxes and school funding. Voting takes place at multiple polling locations in Mitchell and smaller communities. Elections are administered by the County Auditor’s office. In the 2022 gubernatorial race, Republicans received 68% of the vote, Democrats 29%, and third parties 3%.

Davison County, SD, has experienced relatively low crime rates compared to national averages. In 2022, the county reported 162 property crimes and 22 violent crimes, yielding a property crime rate of 15.3 per 1,000 residents and a violent crime rate of 2.1 per 1,000. The Mitchell Police Department actively encourages community crime reporting. Overall, the county maintains a moderate safety rating with crime rates trending slightly downward over the past three years, reflecting effective local law enforcement efforts and community engagement initiatives.

As of the 2020 Census, Davison County, South Dakota, had a population of 19,956. The median age was approximately 39 years. About 50.2% were female and 49.8% male. Racially, 92.8% identified as White, 0.9% Black or African American, 2.7% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.3% reported two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals made up 2.4% of the population.